Hey Everyone,
I'm just checking in for my second update from Kenya. Thus far, my trip has been anything but boring. Last week I ended my letter by saying that I was coming down with a small fever. Well, that fever turned out to be to be the flu, which left me bedridden for several days. I am happy report though that I am now well and able to walk again.
This week, I was given the opportunity to travel to a local rain forest for a day and a night. The wildlife there is amazing. Alwin (another intern) and I decided to go for a hike into the forest on a trail that was only to be traversed with a guide. Naturally, Alwin and I did the trail guideless, and all was going well, until we were ambushed by a pack of monkeys (do monkeys travel in packs? I don't know...). We thought we were sneeking up on one monkey to get a good picture when suddenly there was a large "crashing" sound coming through the bushes towards us accompanied by loud monkey chattering. Alwin and I slowly backed up until we noticed the chattering was now much louder and had encircled us. "Oh no," I thought, "they've encircled us, we've walked right into their trap!" We both began to just slowly walk away, and alas, I lived to tell the tail (Alwin lived too). All in all, the trip to the rain forest was incredible.
On a slightly more serious note, I was able to attend the HIV/AIDS campaign this past Saturday. The campaign hosts various community games and activities as a means of introducing the the village to volunteers who will be providing free HIV/AIDS testing in their area in the near future. For those who test positive, free Anti-Retro Viral Therapy and counseling will be given. This Saturday, I will be attending another campaign in which I will compete in a 10,000m race. When I look at the stature of the Kenyans I will compete against and the 120lbs that encompasses their body weight, my goal is to not get lapped. . . . . . . 3 times.
Tomorrow, I will resume my normal duties at the Chebaiywa Health Clinic. Tuesdays and Thursdays are our MCH days, so expect to continue giving many immunization shots to newborns. I feel that it is such an honor to be involved in the healing work that God is doing western Kenya.
I hope to have some of my pictures posted there in the next couple of days. I hope that all is well with you all. Thank you for your continued support and prayer, they are most definitely appreciated!
-Kit
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
News from Kit: July 18, Week 1
My trip to Kenya has been fairly exciting thus far. The adventure began when my baggage containing my clothes and medical supplies was lost in transit. I have since received the lost luggage; oh the joy that a fresh T-shirt (among other things) can bring.
My time has mostly been spent at the Chebaiywo health clinic. My patients have mostly been suffering from malaria and typhoid, though yesterday I received a patient suffering from a possible fractured tibia due to domestic violence from an alcoholic father. ELI has a program that is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, so I will keep you posted on the family's condition.
Perhaps one of the more surprising things that I have learned about myself during my time in Kenya is that I apparently have hairy arms. It is not uncommon for me to have a child run over to me solely for the purpose of petting my arms.
I am also very impressed with my house parents, Ezekiel and Noella, at the orphanage where I am staying. Ezekiel and Noella are such a incredible parents to their 26 children, and have made me feel as if I am part of their family. There is one orphan in their family that I have been given the pleasure of meeting named Patrick. Patrick's mother died from HIV/AIDS, and when his grandmother could not care for him, she dumped him off in the bush (wilderness) to die. Patrick survived until a someone found him nearly dead due to his infection with HIV/AIDS. He is now staying at the ELI Children's Home where he has regained his health and is currently undergoing Anti-RetroViral Therapy. Patrick has also been given the opportunity to attend school and receive a free education. I have yet to see a child so filled with joy.
Currently, I am preparing to take part in a campaign that will host various games as a means of promoting free HIV/AIDS testing, however I awoke this morning with a fever, so I may have to wait for next week to attend another campaign. Thank you all again for the your continued prayer and support.
-Kit
Kit ended up being in bed and out of commission for four days! He's doing well now. He caught a flu bug that's been making the rounds in our village. This weekend, Kit will be able to join another AIDS campaign, and should be able to post an update again next Monday. ~Adele
Saturday, July 12, 2008
NewSong Comprehensive Team Update
Wednesday, July 9
Diann led a spiritual formation time with the children’s home house parents specifically dealing with anger. This was followed by all four team members dividing the parents by gender, men with men, women with women, to discuss adolescent development issues specific to the gender. These development concerns are just beginning to be seen at the Kipkaren River Children’s Home and the parents are searching for effective ways to talk about them with the children.
Dan concluded a devotional experience by taking the older children on a treasure hunt teaching them to use a compass. The children were delighted to find the hidden treasure of a soccer ball and a jump rope.
Duke finished working on a game he had taught the children. He and Diann had to paint 96 sets of four rocks as playing pieces. Now each child has his/her own distinctive set.
Peggy finished helping Adele, our team hostess; sew colorful curtains for the guest rooms we stayed in.
Following staff devotions at 4:00 p.m., the team enjoyed dinner with Michelle and William Kiprop, staff members of ELI, and heard the story of the chaotic journey of their first 9 months of marriage.
Duke and Peggy met with another Kenyan couple who are recently married and searching for ways to bring diverse backgrounds into a healthy marriage.
Thursday, July 10
Following a breakfast time debriefing with Adele, Dan met with the headmaster and his assistant at the Brook of Faith Primary School to search out ways to improve the traditional methods of educational practice in the school and to plan for the development of a secondary school. This meeting was followed by a lengthy discussion on the same topic with Training Center Director, David Tarus. Together they examined solutions to bringing more financial support to the schools.
Diann, Duke, and Peggy went walking with Stone and Wilson, two ELI staff members who work with the ministry to alcoholics. They heard their stories and were able to meet with and encourage some recovered alcoholics. One lady who has come out of alcoholism and accepted the Lord as her savior stated that since the day she let Jesus into her life 6 months ago, neither she nor her children have gone hungry. That is an amazing testimony since she brewed alcohol to have money for food.
In the afternoon, Diann and Peggy attended a fun party for 30 women of the ELI staff put on by Juli and Allison, American staff members working in health care. It was a great time of celebrating each woman and encouraging them in their work they do for ELI.
When the afternoon rains started, the team received the affirmations of the training center, children’s home, and primary school staff in a farewell service. They are such a gracious and loving people. We were also able to share our closing thoughts with them letting them know how our lives had been affected because of their lives, work, and testimonies. This service was followed by a tearful goodbye from all the children in the orphanage. So many hugs!
Friday, July 11
We left the training center at 6:45 a.m. for an Indiana Jones style ride over slippery, rutted, rock filled roads to the airport. Adele’s skillful driving got us there 25 minutes before the plane left the ground. Upon arrival in Nairobi, Micah who is a trainer in the Dynamic Business Start-Up Project, served as our driver and took us to an orphan baby elephant rescue center where we witnessed 12 ranging in ages from 2 to 22 months be bottle fed and played with. We heard the sad stories of how they were orphaned, many by poachers, and how they would be trained for their return to the wild at age 3.
In the afternoon after settling into our rooms at the Mayfield Guesthouse, Duke and Peggy went on a walk exploring a farmer’s market and AIDS rescue clinic, Diann took a needed nap, and Dan spent 3 hours at an elite private high school once again exploring how Kenyans view and practice good education.
We all enjoyed HOT showers and soft mattresses.
Saturday, July 12
Dan discovered he has no voice due to a viral cold. His day was spent forming a report on his findings and recommendations to ELI leadership concerning the continued development of the educational program.
Diann spent the morning and early afternoon doing spiritual formation training at the church of a Kenyan pastor that was a part of the New Song Church community for several years while attending Fuller Seminary.
Duke and Peggy composed this report, journaled, and got some needed rest.
At 3:00 p.m., Micah once again became our tour guide taking us to a open air market then on to the Carnivore Restaurant where we enjoyed the delicacies of roast ostrich, crocodile, water buffalo, sheep, cow, and chicken while debriefing our time in Kenya and preparing ourselves for our return to the USA where we will share our insights, experiences, and shaping of our time of ministry to the wonderful people of Ilula and Kipkaren, Kenya.
Sunday, July 13
We will enjoy an early morning drive-through safari at the Nairobi Game Park then on to church with Wendy Ludovici, and ELI staff member working in business development in Nairobi. Following church we will do some more sight-seeing around Nairobi, then drive to the airport for the 11:20 p.m. start of our 26 hour flight home.
Monday, July 14
Afternoon arrival to be embraced (we hope) by our families.
We have all had an experience that is a gift and also a challenge. There are so many amazing stories, sights, and relationships that have impacted our lives over the last 18 days. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts of us. You have provided us with blessing and shield. Please pray now for our safe journey home. We hope to see many of you very soon and share first hand this experience with you.
With our deepest love and regards,
Dan, Duke, Peggy, & Diann
Diann led a spiritual formation time with the children’s home house parents specifically dealing with anger. This was followed by all four team members dividing the parents by gender, men with men, women with women, to discuss adolescent development issues specific to the gender. These development concerns are just beginning to be seen at the Kipkaren River Children’s Home and the parents are searching for effective ways to talk about them with the children.
Dan concluded a devotional experience by taking the older children on a treasure hunt teaching them to use a compass. The children were delighted to find the hidden treasure of a soccer ball and a jump rope.
Duke finished working on a game he had taught the children. He and Diann had to paint 96 sets of four rocks as playing pieces. Now each child has his/her own distinctive set.
Peggy finished helping Adele, our team hostess; sew colorful curtains for the guest rooms we stayed in.
Following staff devotions at 4:00 p.m., the team enjoyed dinner with Michelle and William Kiprop, staff members of ELI, and heard the story of the chaotic journey of their first 9 months of marriage.
Duke and Peggy met with another Kenyan couple who are recently married and searching for ways to bring diverse backgrounds into a healthy marriage.
Thursday, July 10
Following a breakfast time debriefing with Adele, Dan met with the headmaster and his assistant at the Brook of Faith Primary School to search out ways to improve the traditional methods of educational practice in the school and to plan for the development of a secondary school. This meeting was followed by a lengthy discussion on the same topic with Training Center Director, David Tarus. Together they examined solutions to bringing more financial support to the schools.
Diann, Duke, and Peggy went walking with Stone and Wilson, two ELI staff members who work with the ministry to alcoholics. They heard their stories and were able to meet with and encourage some recovered alcoholics. One lady who has come out of alcoholism and accepted the Lord as her savior stated that since the day she let Jesus into her life 6 months ago, neither she nor her children have gone hungry. That is an amazing testimony since she brewed alcohol to have money for food.
In the afternoon, Diann and Peggy attended a fun party for 30 women of the ELI staff put on by Juli and Allison, American staff members working in health care. It was a great time of celebrating each woman and encouraging them in their work they do for ELI.
When the afternoon rains started, the team received the affirmations of the training center, children’s home, and primary school staff in a farewell service. They are such a gracious and loving people. We were also able to share our closing thoughts with them letting them know how our lives had been affected because of their lives, work, and testimonies. This service was followed by a tearful goodbye from all the children in the orphanage. So many hugs!
Friday, July 11
We left the training center at 6:45 a.m. for an Indiana Jones style ride over slippery, rutted, rock filled roads to the airport. Adele’s skillful driving got us there 25 minutes before the plane left the ground. Upon arrival in Nairobi, Micah who is a trainer in the Dynamic Business Start-Up Project, served as our driver and took us to an orphan baby elephant rescue center where we witnessed 12 ranging in ages from 2 to 22 months be bottle fed and played with. We heard the sad stories of how they were orphaned, many by poachers, and how they would be trained for their return to the wild at age 3.
In the afternoon after settling into our rooms at the Mayfield Guesthouse, Duke and Peggy went on a walk exploring a farmer’s market and AIDS rescue clinic, Diann took a needed nap, and Dan spent 3 hours at an elite private high school once again exploring how Kenyans view and practice good education.
We all enjoyed HOT showers and soft mattresses.
Saturday, July 12
Dan discovered he has no voice due to a viral cold. His day was spent forming a report on his findings and recommendations to ELI leadership concerning the continued development of the educational program.
Diann spent the morning and early afternoon doing spiritual formation training at the church of a Kenyan pastor that was a part of the New Song Church community for several years while attending Fuller Seminary.
Duke and Peggy composed this report, journaled, and got some needed rest.
At 3:00 p.m., Micah once again became our tour guide taking us to a open air market then on to the Carnivore Restaurant where we enjoyed the delicacies of roast ostrich, crocodile, water buffalo, sheep, cow, and chicken while debriefing our time in Kenya and preparing ourselves for our return to the USA where we will share our insights, experiences, and shaping of our time of ministry to the wonderful people of Ilula and Kipkaren, Kenya.
Sunday, July 13
We will enjoy an early morning drive-through safari at the Nairobi Game Park then on to church with Wendy Ludovici, and ELI staff member working in business development in Nairobi. Following church we will do some more sight-seeing around Nairobi, then drive to the airport for the 11:20 p.m. start of our 26 hour flight home.
Monday, July 14
Afternoon arrival to be embraced (we hope) by our families.
We have all had an experience that is a gift and also a challenge. There are so many amazing stories, sights, and relationships that have impacted our lives over the last 18 days. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts of us. You have provided us with blessing and shield. Please pray now for our safe journey home. We hope to see many of you very soon and share first hand this experience with you.
With our deepest love and regards,
Dan, Duke, Peggy, & Diann
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
NewSong Update: Wednesday
The NewSong team continues to enjoy God’s blessing as we live and love among the people around the Kipkaren River Training and Development Center.
Diann, Duke, & Peggy have just wrapped up three days of seminars with parents of the community and have had good discussions about parenting, marriage, and letting God do His work in us.
Diane, doing an intensive training seminar with children's home parents
Dan has visited the Kamagut High School and continues to gather information and plant seeds of educational reform with the leadership of ELI’s schools. Today he walked the ground where the new high school will be built and received God’s promise that this ground would yield its fruit in its season. We also have spent time in homes and seen amazing families overcoming the many challenges of life with God’s love in their hearts. God, through ELI, is at work here!
Brian, biological son of Mike & Dorcas, ELI Kipkaren orphanage parents
Please continue to support us in prayer as we finish or time in Kipkaren on Thursday and head back to Nairobi on Friday where we will spend time with two missionary friends, explore the local marketplace, see a slum ministry, visit a high school, do a short drive-through safari, then board the plane for the long journey back to California.
We are tired but well and that is a good way to be. God has done a work in the seeds we have planted and He has done a work in our lives as well. We look forward to sharing more of our ADVENTURE with you in the days ahead.
Dan, Diann, Duke, & Peggy
~ text & photos by Dan
Diann, Duke, & Peggy have just wrapped up three days of seminars with parents of the community and have had good discussions about parenting, marriage, and letting God do His work in us.
Diane, doing an intensive training seminar with children's home parentsDan has visited the Kamagut High School and continues to gather information and plant seeds of educational reform with the leadership of ELI’s schools. Today he walked the ground where the new high school will be built and received God’s promise that this ground would yield its fruit in its season. We also have spent time in homes and seen amazing families overcoming the many challenges of life with God’s love in their hearts. God, through ELI, is at work here!
Brian, biological son of Mike & Dorcas, ELI Kipkaren orphanage parentsWe are tired but well and that is a good way to be. God has done a work in the seeds we have planted and He has done a work in our lives as well. We look forward to sharing more of our ADVENTURE with you in the days ahead.
Dan, Diann, Duke, & Peggy
~ text & photos by Dan
Sunday, July 06, 2008
NewSong: Weekend Activities
It's been a busy weekend at Kipkaren, and the NewSong team have been able to observe some of the day-to-day ministry happening in our village.On Friday night, they danced into the night with the children from the Children's Home and the Salvation Army Band that came for the AIDS campaign the next day. They were up early on Saturday to join the Kids' Camp (a one-day VBS-type event), after which they headed out to the campaign. They managed not to get caught in the typical afternoon rain storm. This photo of the team was taken right before they left the campaign. The sky was looking pretty ominous by then...
Today, Dan preached in church. (Diane caught a local virus that took her voice away for a bit. Please pray that her voice will hold up the rest of the week.) After lunch, the team enjoyed resting. They played Phase 10 with some of us ELI missionaries in the new visitor's gazebo by the river.
This week will be a busy one for them. Diane is teaching at the staff devotions. Then, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, she, Duke and Peggy are doing 3-hour seminars for ELI parents and community members on parenting adolescents. Diane and Peggy will be leading the Monday afternoon women's meeting, too. Dan's been leading devotions at the children's home.
I'm sure they'll write an update tomorrow or sometime soon so you can hear from them how things are going. They're doing wonderfully, though, and we're blessed to have them here.
Friday, July 04, 2008
NewSong Team Update
Praise be to God!
A NewSong update by Peggy & Diann
After 41 hours of travel by car, train, bus, plane, and plane, and plane, and waiting along the way we arrived safely in Nairobi Friday night, June 27. We spent the night (or really the early morning hours for most of us, since one of our suitcases got left behind at the Nairobi airport and had to be fetched) at a missionary guest house in Nairobi.
On Saturday morning, after having to adjust our packing a bit due to a weight restriction, we flew in a 20-seater plane for Eldoret. (Our remaining two cases came the next evening.) Seeing the landscape from this vantage point was beautiful. We were picked up by the Ilula Children’s Home Director Laban Rono, the Ukweli Training Center Manager Patrick Kiprop and the Short Term Teams Coordinator Joel. They drove us through town and out a ways to the Ilula Children’s Home.
We received a beautiful greeting from the children as we pulled down the driveway onto the campus. All 90+ children were lined up in a semi-circle formation, from smallest to biggest. The four little ones at the start of the line held a bouquet of roses, one for each of us. As we walked down the line, each of them extended their precious little hand to shake ours and they put left hand over their right forearm as a gesture of honor to us, all the while saying: “Welcome” or “Welcome Home.” It was a greeting that overwhelmed our senses and emotions. The people here are very gracious, grateful, and kind . We received several warm welcomes by different staff and children in word, song, and dance before the welcome ceremony was concluded.
From that time until now, five full days have flown by. The people here, both ELI staff and villagers alike, are warm and loving people who value relationship. They have shared the stories of their lives and asked us about ours. The sharing has been rich. Time is not as important as people, and it is measured more by the event than the minute—although they do plan a daily and weekly schedule and pack a lot into each day. They are very grateful for us as their “visitors” and are so open and eager to listen and receive what God can speak through us. We have had several formal opportunities, and many casual ones, to minister; here are some highlights:
Tomorrow* we leave for 8 nights in Kipkaren and begin again to bond with God’s dear servants and to serve the least of these in Jesus’ precious name.
By His grace and for His glory,
NewSong Church Kenya Team
Dan Perrine, Duke and Peggy Draeger, Diann Enderby
* The team has since arrived at Kipkaren and are enjoying the new Kipkaren guest houses on the banks of the Kipkaren River. So far, they've been on tours of the various ministries at this base, and right now, they're at the graduation of the new DBSP class, a small-business training program. Tomorrow, they'll be spending some time at a children's rally (300+ are expected) as well as at an AIDS campaign.
Please keep praying for the team, for good health & for God to show them his heart.
A NewSong update by Peggy & Diann
After 41 hours of travel by car, train, bus, plane, and plane, and plane, and waiting along the way we arrived safely in Nairobi Friday night, June 27. We spent the night (or really the early morning hours for most of us, since one of our suitcases got left behind at the Nairobi airport and had to be fetched) at a missionary guest house in Nairobi.
On Saturday morning, after having to adjust our packing a bit due to a weight restriction, we flew in a 20-seater plane for Eldoret. (Our remaining two cases came the next evening.) Seeing the landscape from this vantage point was beautiful. We were picked up by the Ilula Children’s Home Director Laban Rono, the Ukweli Training Center Manager Patrick Kiprop and the Short Term Teams Coordinator Joel. They drove us through town and out a ways to the Ilula Children’s Home.
We received a beautiful greeting from the children as we pulled down the driveway onto the campus. All 90+ children were lined up in a semi-circle formation, from smallest to biggest. The four little ones at the start of the line held a bouquet of roses, one for each of us. As we walked down the line, each of them extended their precious little hand to shake ours and they put left hand over their right forearm as a gesture of honor to us, all the while saying: “Welcome” or “Welcome Home.” It was a greeting that overwhelmed our senses and emotions. The people here are very gracious, grateful, and kind . We received several warm welcomes by different staff and children in word, song, and dance before the welcome ceremony was concluded.
From that time until now, five full days have flown by. The people here, both ELI staff and villagers alike, are warm and loving people who value relationship. They have shared the stories of their lives and asked us about ours. The sharing has been rich. Time is not as important as people, and it is measured more by the event than the minute—although they do plan a daily and weekly schedule and pack a lot into each day. They are very grateful for us as their “visitors” and are so open and eager to listen and receive what God can speak through us. We have had several formal opportunities, and many casual ones, to minister; here are some highlights:
- interacting with the staff of the Children’s Home, adult Training Center, and the Director of Operations for ELI Kenya over meals and in rich conversations
- Duke and Peggy, primarily, spent three days of seminar discussions with the Children’s Home house parents; Diann sat in on the last two and contributed
- a few hours of seminar discussion with 13 men and their two leaders in the 30-day alcoholic rehabilitation group—they live on the grounds and graduate Saturday (four are being baptized!); it was a powerful time
- Dan met with the teachers and headmaster of the school next to the Children’s Home to discuss improvements in teaching and student growth
- Diann was the main speaker at a church service on Sunday in a beautiful area at 8,500 feet elevation; three congregations came together for it and we were the first team to ever be taken to this area
- we all spoke to a group from the church that afternoon about their community concerns and gave ideas, challenge, and encouragement
Tomorrow* we leave for 8 nights in Kipkaren and begin again to bond with God’s dear servants and to serve the least of these in Jesus’ precious name.
By His grace and for His glory,
NewSong Church Kenya Team
Dan Perrine, Duke and Peggy Draeger, Diann Enderby
* The team has since arrived at Kipkaren and are enjoying the new Kipkaren guest houses on the banks of the Kipkaren River. So far, they've been on tours of the various ministries at this base, and right now, they're at the graduation of the new DBSP class, a small-business training program. Tomorrow, they'll be spending some time at a children's rally (300+ are expected) as well as at an AIDS campaign.
Please keep praying for the team, for good health & for God to show them his heart.
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